FOREIGN CONSULAR SERVICE

The Department of State has appealed to the University to encourage graduates to enter the consular service of the government, and to lay before them the advantages and inducements of the foreign service. The introduction of the merit system by the present Administration has greatly increased the chances for promotion of one who enters one of the minor departments of the services. An evidence of this change in policy is the announcement that the vacancy which will be caused by the resignation of Mr. Charlemagne Tower '72 as Ambassador to Germany will be filled by promotion.

Following is the letter which has been sent to Dean Hurlbut by Mr. Huntington Wilson, third assistant Secretary of State.

"The Department of State is anxious to obtain the services of young men of high character and ability, and looks to your College, among other educational institutions, for encouragement and assistance in this respect.

"The compensation of consular, clerks, according to the new law of February 22, 1907, is to be $1,000 for the first three years, and $200 additional each succeeding year until a maximum of $1800 is reached. Consular clerks usually serve as vice-consular officers at various posts, and are in direct line of promotion to the higher grades. It is hoped that these desirable vacancies may interest some of your graduates."

Mr. William Phelps '00, formerly Second Secretary of the United States Legation at Peking, now in the State Department at Washington, has sent the following announcement to the Harvard Bulletin:

"On November 20, 21 and 22, there will be held in the Department of State at Washington an examination to fill a number of vacancies in the Consular Corps, and two vacancies in the Corps or Student Interpreters in China.

"A pamphlet containing a prospectus of the examination and information regarding both these departments of the government service may be obtained from the State Department.

"In order to be designated for the examination, a candidate for the office of Consul must be between the ages of 21 and 50, while a candidate for student interpreter is required to be within the ages of 19 and 25, and unmarried.

"The Department of State will be glad to receive and will give careful consideration to all applications from young men who are interested in entering the foreign service of the government.

"The office of Student Interpreter in the Far East is a peculiarly attractive one. The successful candidate is sent to Peking, there to study the Chinese language under the supervision of the Legation. After graduating from his course of study in Peking, the student interpreter is awarded a position in a consulate, from which he may receive promotion to the rank of interpreter and to that of Consul."